VP tag team: Biden, Gore to campaign for Markey

WASHINGTON 
Two Democratic vice presidents are teaming up to head off a Republican victory in Massachusetts' special Senate election.

The White House says Vice President Joe Biden and former Vice President Al Gore will attend a fundraiser in Washington on Tuesday for Rep. Ed Markey. He's running to replace former Sen. John Kerry, who stepped down to become secretary of state.

Markey won't be at the fundraiser. He'll be participating in a debate in Massachusetts that night.

Democrats have been sending in their biggest players ahead of the June 25 election. President Barack Obama heads to Boston Wednesday; first lady Michelle Obama made the trip last month.

Democrats are hoping to avoid a repeat of 2010, when Republican Scott Brown won a special Senate election to replace the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, even though Massachusetts leans heavily Democratic.